CHAPTER 898: CHAPTER 694: THE TIME HAS COME! DEPART! (PART 2)

So, he deliberately came to invite Reveis, hoping that Reveis would join him in taking action.

Unexpectedly, Reveis still did not even turn her head to look at the man in the white robe.

"You ask for it yourself." Reveis’ voice was icy, saying: "I don’t want to fail again."

Leaving these words behind, Reveis exited the chamber and continued hunting.

"Tch..."

The man in the white robe clicked his tongue openly.

"Indeed, she is an incomprehensible woman; I truly don’t understand why ’she’ chose such a person."

"Clearly having received ’her’ favor, yet ignoring ’her’ voice is simply unforgivable."

"...Forget it, if she won’t go, I’ll go alone."

"I refuse to believe that in a place like the ’Dragon Pot,’ a mere Lv.5 could have the kind of impact that makes that woman obsessed."

The man in the white robe then turned around, walking into the shadows of the chamber while spreading his arms.

"I will certainly fulfill ’her’ wishes in advance."

"Whether it’s offering Alya as a sacrifice to ’her,’ or bringing ’her’ to the surface, as long as it’s something ’she’ wants to do, I will do it all."

"I am reborn because of ’her,’ a new life transformed by ’her.’

"Everything must go as ’she’ desires."

The man in the white robe, murmuring like a fanatic, also walked out of the chamber.

"Plop... Plop..."

Behind him, with a series of sticky footsteps, worms of varying sizes appeared, following the man in the white robe, heading towards the outside of the chamber.

...

The next day, morning.

Because there is no sunlight underground, when the clocks brought by the people show it was already morning, the glow from the magic stone lamps and the light from the bonfire continued to shine in the camp, illuminating the surroundings.

People changed shifts, woke up, and gathered around the bonfire for meals just like yesterday.

Today, the atmosphere was clearly different from yesterday, filled with tension and seriousness.

In such a situation, the expedition team led by Finn silently finished their meal, and under the watchful eyes of everyone, grabbed their weapons.

Finn picked up the spear.

Revilia took up the magic staff.

Grace held the battle axe.

Reiger and Ais strapped on their long swords.

Theona had her large dual blades, Theone carried her recurved knife, Bert his metal boots, Chun her longsword... each person silently equipped their weapons, while Raul, Angel, Alicia, and Rephia carried large backpacks filled with various weapons and tools, even Chun carried equipment boxes.

Fully armed, the group moved together under the gaze of the team members staying at the camp, to the entrance located on the west side.

This was the passage to the 51st floor.

The group traversed through the gray forest, arriving at the western end wall of the 50th floor, gathering before the passage connecting the 50th floor and the 51st floor, looking at the steep downward slope of the lower floor, one by one rallying their spirits.

"Rephia." Reiger noticed the elven girl walking beside him sweating on her forehead, and reached out to wipe it away, saying: "Don’t be so nervous, relax a little."

"Yes..."

Rephia seemed genuinely nervous, even the intimate gesture from Reiger, which would normally make her blush, did not seem to faze her, she gripped her backpack and magic staff tightly until her hands turned white, making Ais, beside her, somewhat concerned.

"...It’s alright, Rephia." Ais, though not good with words, also softly reassured, "We will definitely protect you."

"So, cheer up."

The golden-haired, golden-eyed girl rarely comforted others, indicating how much seriousness the moment required.

Even Bert kicked the similarly nervous Raul, scolding him, causing Angel to sigh in exasperation.

"By the way, Reiger, aren’t you the slightest bit nervous?" Theona approached Reiger curiously to ask: "Isn’t this your first official expedition to an unexplored floor?"

If discussing expeditions, indeed it was the case, but regarding the ’Dragon Pot,’ he had ventured there numerous times.

While this played out in Reiger’s mind, he naturally maintained a calm demeanor outwardly.

"I’ve experienced many new things, so I’m already accustomed."

This statement led to Theone clicking her tongue in amazement.

"True, you only became an adventurer a few months ago; not to mention exploring unexplored floors, even adding this to the family expedition, you’ve only participated twice."

How could there not be plenty of unfamiliar experiences in such a short time?

Theone’s comment made everyone glance at Reiger, their expressions somewhat peculiar.

"So, like this little girl, you actually have little expedition experience, right?" Chun patted Reiger’s back, saying: "You’re quite remarkable, not feeling nervous at all."

"Did you hear that, Raul?" Angel whispered to her contemporary: "Technically speaking, you have more experience than Mr. Reiger, yet while he’s not nervous, you are, which is fairly embarrassing."

"...Please, stop." Raul said in shame: "If this continues, my face as a senior will be completely lost."

"You guys really lack exercise." Grace joined, holding his battle axe, saying in a deep voice: "I don’t expect you all to be like the lad Reiger, that’s too much, but at least you are his seniors, show some spirit."

"Otherwise, the road ahead won’t be easy."

Grace’s words made everyone feel a slight twinge within.

"I, I’ll try harder!"

Raul finally pulled himself together.

"I will do my best too..."

Rephia said quietly, prompting Ais to pat her head, finally making the elven girl blush.

"Alicia."

Revilia casually glanced at Alicia.

"I’m alright, Ms. Revilia." Alicia responded maturely with a smile, calmly saying: "As long as you stand, I will remain standing, please rest assured."

Hearing this, Finn raised his spear, beginning to speak.

"Since you are all prepared, let’s begin the formal expedition."

Finn was perhaps the calmest and even coldest person present, as if masking his emotions once the official expedition began, his voice, though youthful, carried authority.

"Let’s arrange our formation first."

The small leader systematically organized them.

"Firstly, the vanguard: Theona, Theone, and Bert, you three will handle that."

"Center: myself, Reiger, and Ais."

"Rear guard: Revilia, Grace will anchor.

"Chun, you beside me, Angel and Rephia will follow Reiger and Ais, Raul and Alicia alongside Grace and Revilia, remember to stay close but not too close, allowing space for battle and maintaining distance sufficient for providing weapons and tools to the leaders if needed."

"With this formation, we will move swiftly through the 51st floor, then head straight into the 52nd floor, charging into the ’Dragon Pot’."

"Once at the ’Dragon Pot,’ Reiger and Revilia, you must cast protective magic on everyone just in case."

"Alright, that’s it for now."

Following Finn’s instructions, everyone quickly found their positions.

Reiger’s position was with Theona ahead, Revilia behind, Ais and Angel beside him, Rephia slightly farther away, followed by Finn and Chun.

He lifted his eyes glimmering with translucent shine, seeing something unknown.

Then—

"Move out!"

With Finn’s command, the entire group rushed into the passage, entering the 51st floor.